When you’re looking for approaches to decrease heating and cooling bills, getting a smart thermostat is a smart decision. These devices learn your favorite temperatures and routine and then create an energy-efficient schedule that matches. What’s even better is that you can regulate and monitor your settings from just about anywhere with your phone, whether you’re sitting in bed or out and about. (You might even be able to get a free smart thermostat depending on rebate programs from your utility company in Houston.)

Most of the time, adding a smart home thermostat with the support of Air Current AC & Heat is a simple job if you have a new house. But what if your home is older or doesn’t have the proper wiring? Can you still install a smart thermostat without C wire? We’ll help you navigate the process so you can pick the right thermostat and enjoy energy savings for a long time.

What Is a C Wire and What Does It Do on a Thermostat?

Many programmable thermostats use batteries. When you’re switching to a smart thermostat, you’ll learn that many require a C wire, or common wire, for power. If you don’t use this wire, your new thermostat may cause your heating and cooling system to malfunction.

You can ascertain if you have a C wire by doing the following:

  1. Turn off power to the thermostat at the breaker.
  2. Remove the thermostat and check the wiring.
  3. If there are five or six multicolored wires, you have what’s needed for a smart thermostat. You might be pondering what color is the C wire on a thermostat—and the answer to that is usually blue.
  4. If there are three or four thin multicolored wires, you’re almost there. Check the C wire isn’t hidden in the wall. If you can’t find one, we may be able to put in one for you or you may be able to operate your new thermostat without one.
  5. If you have two thick wires, you may be able to install a smart thermostat with an adaptor just for high-voltage systems. Or you may be able to operate a battery-powered smart thermostat, like the Lux Geo Wi-Fi Thermostat, if your wiring isn’t right and you don’t want to replace it.

Do Nest or ecobee Need a C Wire?

Two of the most popular brands are the Nest smart thermostat and ecobee smart thermostat. If you have two to four wires, these thermostats may be a fit for your home.

Nest says its thermostats are made to require very little power and can typically share it with your HVAC system. However, you may need to have a professional like Air Current AC & Heat install a C wire with the Nest Thermostat E or Nest Learning Thermostat if you’re having power problems or a battery that’s always drained.

ecobee is compatible with 24-volt systems (ones with three to six thermostat wires) and comes with a C wire adaptor. So, you’re good if you don’t have a thermostat C wire.

Trust Air Current AC & Heat for Your Smart Thermostat Installation Needs

At Air Current AC & Heat, we’re always on the lookout for methods to keep you comfier while keeping energy costs reasonable. If you want to learn more about switching to a smart thermostat without a C wire, give us a call at 713-322-4318. We can help you choose the right model for your home and even put in new wiring if needed.